real men, real life, real love

If you could read just 1500 of my words…

May 21, 2014

In October, I’m going to be attending the GayRomLit reader/author event in Chicago. I managed to get an author spot off the wait-list, and I look forward to it with mingled anticipation and anxiety. Going as an author involves a bit more prep and decision making than going as a reader (when my big decision was “how to I dress to meet Amy Lane?” – the answer to which turned out to be, any way I liked, because Amy’s too kind to even care.) As an author, I have to bring swag (what kind?) and books (how many?) and this year there is a new feature…

Some wonderful people are organizing a GRL free book full of stories or excerpts from the attending authors. Like a sampler, not just of new authors this year, but of many of us. Because they’ll have a hundred authors in it, we each get 1500 words to use for an excerpt, or a story. It’s intended to introduce readers to authors they have not yet tried.

If you’d never read my books, what would you want to see? An excerpt? (And if there’s a book or not-too-spoilery scene you think would be ideal, I’d love to know.) A complete little short story? I have some that short, although mostly among the thirty or so that I’ve done for the Young Adult Group.

As you know, 1500 words for me is a pittance, but since I’ve now written a score of 100-word drabbles for the M/M group, I think I’m getting the really short form down. I could write an adult 1500 word short. I think. So… Any advice?

Thanks for the vote of confidence (writing sex is the thing I find hardest to do, so I’m pleased you’ve liked what I have done.) It’s a thought, although it’s hard to do heat and sex in very short form, and still be unique. I noticed that at the book readings at GRL – the people who read sex scenes all kind of ran together, while the ones who read some other distinctive episode were much easier to remember.

I have read most of your works….including the 100 word drabbles…over the past year – I vote for a complete short (not that another novel wouldn’t be great!). I think what I enjoy most about your writing is your ability to describe the people and the setting and the plot in a way that is real – it is so easy to slide into the “moment’ – so believable. And you have a pretty broad range – from paranormal to sci fi/fantasy to yesteryear and, of course, the present (I totally identify your picture of Tony as Tony even on another author’s cover – lol). I don’t usually enjoy…or perhaps “get’ is more accurate…poetry – but you have done some intriguing work in the M/M group on Goodreads.

I really love when people refer to that guy’s picture as “I saw Tony…” Of course he’s Tony to me, but it’s cool that he’s so linked to my guy in readers’ minds too.

I’ll take your vote for a short story.

I do try for realism, even in fantasy, so it’s nice to hear that comes across. And the poetry – LOL – I’m not really a poet but it can be so much fun to play with words, either seriously or in very lighthearted ways. I like the chance to do that on the group.

I’d love to see something new too, but for excerpts I like the scene in Life Lessons where Mac is interrogating Tony about if he’s ever been attracted to a student and Tony basically comes on to him in return, saying Mac is more his type. It’s kind of sexy but a good intro to the characters too.

I also like the scene in Unacceptable Risk when Simon takes Paul to the gay bar and they kiss for the first time, but that might be too long.

I’m glad you enjoyed Lyon and Tobin. It’s a thought, and I appreciate the suggestion, although I worry that with so few words, the world-building wouldn’t be clear to a reader who hadn’t read Nor Iron Bars. But I’ll put it on the list of possibilities. Thanks.

Hi Kaje You are right upon thinking about it. It would take to long to do the world building. Here is an idea. How about three gay men and baby I would love a book for Lyon and Tobin when you have the time

How about writing an established couple either from a pairing that you have already done or a new pairing. This way you don’t have to do the whole world building thing. Pubbed established couple will have your fans know what has happened already and wet the appetite for the new reader to want to know what has happened before. New established couple doesn’t require world building either and depending how you end it, it will leave the new readers and you fans wanting more or just enjoy the short. Whatever you come up with, it will be awesome.